Meet the Team

Nancy R. Gee, Ph.D., C-AISS

Professor of Psychiatry, Bill Balaban Chair in Human-Animal Interaction, and Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction

Education

• Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Science, University of South Florida Tampa
• Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist Certification, Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals

Select Journal Publications

• Friedmann, E., Gee, N. R., Eltantawy, M. R. A., & Cole, S. (2026). A Systematic Review of Pet Attachment and Health Outcomes in Older Adults. Pets, 3(1), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/pets3010002
• Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S. B., Thakre, T. P., & Mueller, M. K. (2026). A pilot randomized controlled trial examining the impact of therapy dog visitation on mood, anxiety, and depression in patients hospitalized for the treatment of mental illness. Healthcare, 14(10), Article 1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101420
• Gee, N., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker S., Thakre, T., & Mueller, M. (2025). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness in adult patients hospitalized in a psychiatric unit. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, article 1582767. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1582767
• Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S., & Mueller, M. (2025). A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Depression, Mood, and Anxiety in Hospitalized Older Adults. Healthcare, 13(15), Article 1819. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151819
• Friedmann, E., Gee, N. R., Simonsick, E. M., Kitner-Triolo, M. H., Resnick, B., Gurlu, M., Shim, S., Adesanya, I. (2024). Pet Attachment and Maintenance of Physical and Cognitive Function in Community-Residing Older Adults: Evidence From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Anthrozoös, 38(1), 153–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2395125
• Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S., Mueller, M. (2024). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness in hospitalized older adults. Innovation in Aging, 8(11), Article igae085. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae085

Select Book Publications

• N. R. Gee, L. Townsend, & R. Findling (Eds). (2023). The role of companion animals in the treatment of mental disorders. American Psychiatric Association.
• N. R. Gee, A. H. Fine, & P. McCardle (Eds.). (2017). How animals help students learn: Research and practice for educators and mental-health professionals. New York, NY:  Routledge Publishers, Taylor & Francis Group.

Biography   Email   Telephone

Lisa Townsend, Ph.D., LCSW

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Clinical and Research Associate

Education

• Ph.D. in Social Welfare, Case Western Reserve University
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Team Intensive Certification, Behavioral Technologies
• Certificate in Human-Animal Interventions, Oakland University
• Specialist Certificate in Canine-Assisted Interventions, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver

Select Journal Publications

• Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S., Mueller, M. (2024). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness in hospitalized older adults. Innovation in Aging, igae085, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae085
• Townsend, L., Gee, N. R., Friedmann, E., Mueller, M. K., & Barker, S. B. (2024). Recruitment feasibility for a randomized controlled pilot study of animal-assisted intervention for hospitalized older adults. Journal of Ageing and Longevity, 4(4), 404-416. https://doi.org/10.3390/jal4040029
• Rodriguez, K.E., Green, F.L.L., Binfet, J., Towsend, L., & Gee, N. R. (2023). Complexities and considerations in conducting animal-assisted intervention research: A discussion of randomized controlled trials. Human-Animal Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0004
• Townsend, L., Towsley, N., & Gee, N.R. (2023). "Dogs on Call": A community-engaged human subjects training with hospital based therapy dog teams. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 18(5), 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1177/15562646231191962
• Hoy-Gerlach, J., & Townsend, L. (2023). Reimagining healthcare: Human–animal bond support as a primary, secondary, and tertiary public health intervention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(7). http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075272
• Townsend, L., Heatwole, J. K., & Gee, N. R. (2022). Reactivation of a hospital-based therapy dog visitation program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Animals, 12(14), 1842. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141842
• Townsend, L., & Gee, N. R. (2021). Recognizing and mitigating canine stress during animal assisted interventions. Veterinary Sciences, 8(11), 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8110254

Select Book Publication

• N. R. Gee, L. Townsend, & R. Findling (Eds). (2023). The role of companion animals in the treatment of mental disorders. American Psychiatric Association.

Biography   Email

Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D., LPC, NCC

Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Center Founding Director, and Center Senior Advisor

Education

• Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Systems, Florida State University
• Formerly EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant, EMDR International Association (2000–2025; concluded upon retirement)
• National Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors

Select Journal Publications

• Gee, N., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S., & Mueller, M. A. (2024). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness in hospitalized older adults. Innovation in Aging, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae085
• Barker, S. B., & Gee, N. R. (2021). Canine-assisted interventions in hospitals: Best practices for maximizing human and canine safety. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8:615730. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.615730
• Barker, S. B., Krzastek, S. C., Vokes, R. A., Schubert, C. M., Cooley, L. F., & Hampton, L. J. (2020). Examining the effect of an animal-assisted intervention on patient distress in outpatient cystoscopy. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 8(1), 23-27, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2020.0002
• Barker, S. B., Schubert, C. M., Barker, R. T., Chuo, S. I., Kendler, K. S., & Dick, D. M. (2018). The relationship between pet ownership, social support, and internalizing symptoms in students from the first to fourth year of college. Applied Developmental Science, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1476148
• Barker, S. B., Barker, R. T., McCain, N. L., & Schubert, C. A. (2016). A randomized cross-over exploratory study of the effect of visiting therapy dogs on college student stress before final exams. Anthrozoös, 29(1), 35-46, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2015.1069988
• Barker, R. T., Knisely, J. S., Barker, S. B., Cobb, R. K., & Schubert, C. M. (2012 ). Preliminary investigation of employees’ dog presence on stress and organizational perceptions. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 5(1), 15-30, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538351211215366
• Barker, S. B., Knisely, J. S., McCain, N. L., & Best, A. M. (2005). Measuring stress and immune response in healthcare professionals following interaction with at therapy dog:  a pilot study.  Psychological Reports, 96, 713-729, 2005. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.96.3.713-729

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James "JT" Hosack, MA

Teams Coordinator

Education

• M.A. in Communication Theory, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• B.A. in Communication Studies, Christopher Newport University

Responsibilities

As the primary contact for our Dogs on Call volunteers, I work closely with the Director to oversee the program and ensure our teams have all the training, resources, and guidance they need for safe, effective service. My day-to-day role covers a bit of everything, from managing essential documentation like our Volunteer Manual and veterinary records to collaborating with Volunteer Services to onboard new therapy dog teams. During that onboarding process, I evaluate both the handler’s skills and the dog’s fit for a busy hospital environment. I also help our handlers and our healthcare team to navigate VCU Health’s Animals in the Hospital policy to help ensure safe human-animal interactions for all. On the creative side, I handle all of CHAI’s social media content, write the volunteer newsletter, and design most of our promotional materials. While these core responsibilities certainly keep my moving, I also love diving into special projects, like expanding the Dogs on Call program to brand-new locations across the health system. 

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Karl Dorn, MEd.

Program Coordinator

Education

• M.Ed. in High-Incidence Disabilities, Nicholls State University
• B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy, Virginia Commonwealth University

Responsibilities

My role is to provide administrative, programmatic, and logistical support for the Center. I coordinate events and meetings, and support the Director in running the Close at Heart program and submitting grant applications. I plan all major events, including Pups on the Plaza, and I produce our annual Dogs on Call calendar, recruit sponsors and maintain all relevant documentation. I manage multiple data systems that track and document program outcomes and processes.  I also process and track donations, expenses, and invoices. I am the primary contact for vendors and I handle CHAI’s purchasing, including Dogs on Call uniforms and supplies. I oversee CHAI’s administrative volunteers and facilitate PhD and medical student engagement. I also serve as CHAI’s webmaster having recently revamped the entire website, I now provide ongoing updates as needed to keep it relevant and informative. While these responsibilities keep me busy, I also participate in a variety of time-sensitive Center projects and activities in collaboration with the Director.

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